title: A telerehabilitation intervention for persons with spinal cord dysfunction.
abstract: Pressure ulcers and depression are common preventable conditions secondary to a spinal cord dysfunction. However, few successful, low-cost preventive approaches have been identified. We have developed a dynamic automated telephone calling system, termed Care Call, to empower and motivate people with spinal cord dysfunction to improve their skin care, seek treatment for depression, and appropriately use the healthcare system. Herein, we describe the design and development of Care Call, its novel features, and promising preliminary results of our pilot testing. Voice quality testing showed that Care Call was able to understand all voice characteristics except very soft-spoken speech. Importantly, pilot study subjects felt Care Call could be particularly useful for people who are depressed, those with acute injury, and those without access to quality care. The results of a randomized controlled trial currently underway to evaluate Care Call will be available in 2011.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Bethlyn Vergo
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Houlihan
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jette
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paasche-Orlow
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wierbicky
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ducharme
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zazula
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuevas
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D003628:Database Management Systems; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011786:Quality Control; D012648:Self Care; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013689:Telephone; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014833:Voice Quality